Showing posts with label Denver Nuggets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Denver Nuggets. Show all posts
Sunday, 23 August 2026
Monday, 27 July 2026
OKC FORCE NUGGETS INTO MAJOR FINANCIAL TROUBLE
The Thunder forced Denver into a major financial bind by making the Nuggets match Spencer Jones' two-year, $12 million offer sheet, increasing their luxury-tax bill by $32 million and pushing them into the second apron.
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| Credit AP-SCANPIX |
The Oklahoma City Thunder have pushed the Denver Nuggets into a significantly more expensive financial position despite failing to acquire Spencer Jones.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Denver matched Oklahoma City's two-year, $12 million offer sheet for Jones, retaining the restricted free-agent forward before Sunday night’s deadline.
The decision increases the Nuggets’ projected luxury-tax payment by approximately $32 million, from $36 million to $68 million, while pushing them into the NBA’s second apron. Denver are currently the league’s only team operating above that threshold.
Oklahoma City makes Denver pay to retain Jones
Although the Thunder did not land Jones, their offer sheet forced the Nuggets to make an expensive decision regarding one of their most valuable homegrown players.
Denver originally signed Jones after he went undrafted out of Stanford in 2024. He began his professional career on a two-way contract before earning a standard NBA deal in February following his emergence as a reliable rotation option.
Jones appeared in 64 games last season, including 37 starts, and averaged 5.5 points and 3.3 rebounds in 22.1 minutes. He shot 50.4% from the field and 39.6% from three-point range.
The 25-year-old also played an increased role during the playoffs, averaging 6.5 points in 24.2 minutes across six appearances while converting 69.2% of his three-point attempts.
Denver ultimately decided that retaining a young player developed within its system was worth the additional cost.
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| Credit Rio Giancarlo/ |
Nuggets become NBA's only second-apron team
Matching the offer sheet carries consequences beyond Jones’ $6 million annual salary.
Denver’s luxury-tax bill is projected to rise from approximately $36 million to $68 million, with the franchise also crossing into the second apron and triggering further roster-building restrictions.
The Nuggets could attempt to reduce their bill through trades during the season, but any salary-cutting move could require them to sacrifice depth or attach draft compensation.
Oklahoma City, meanwhile, created a difficult decision for a Western Conference rival without taking on any long-term financial commitment of its own after Denver matched the contract.
Peyton Watson becomes Denver's next challenge
The Nuggets must now resolve the future of another restricted free-agent forward, Peyton Watson.
According to Charania, the Atlanta Hawks, Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Clippers are all pursuing Watson, placing additional pressure on Denver after its expensive decision to retain Jones.
Keeping Watson could push the Nuggets even deeper into the tax, while allowing him to leave would cost them another important member of their wing rotation.
- BasketNews
Wednesday, 29 April 2026
Tuesday, 28 April 2026
Sunday, 26 April 2026
Friday, 24 April 2026
Tuesday, 21 April 2026
Sunday, 19 April 2026
Sunday, 5 April 2026
Wednesday, 18 March 2026
Tuesday, 10 March 2026
Friday, 6 March 2026
LEBRON JAMES BREAKS THE CAREER FIELD GOALS RECORD IN THE LAKERS' 120-113 LOSS TO THE NUGGETS
LeBron James broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record for career field goals in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 120-113 loss to Denver on Thursday night, with the Nuggets getting 28 points each from All-Stars Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic
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| Headlines from ABC News LiveCatch up on the developing stories making headlines. The Associated Press |
DENVER -- LeBron James broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record for career field goals in the Los Angeles Lakers' 120-113 loss to Denver on Thursday night, with the Nuggets getting 28 points each from All-Stars Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic.
James injured his left elbow on a layup that pulled Los Angeles to 110-106 with four minutes to go and left the game. He returned with 2:05 left and the Lakers trailing by a point. The Lakers, however, never were able to take the lead as the Nuggets finished off a crucial wire-to-wire win.
James finished with 16 points to go with Luka Doncic's 27.
Jokic had his 23rd triple-double of the season with 28 points, 12 rebounds and 13 assists to offset nine turnovers and help the Nuggets (39-24) stay a step ahead of the streaking Lakers (37-25) in the logjammed Western Conference.
Aside from his record-breaking bucket in the first quarter — the 15,838th field goal of his 23-year career — James had a couple of sensational baskets: a corkscrew reverse fastbreak layup and an off-balance, 18-foot turnaround jumper that pulled the Lakers to 64-54 at halftime.
And he had three straight jaw-dropping assists as the Lakers staged a fourth-quarter comeback that fell just short.
The Nuggets jumped out to a 16-3 lead and led by 15 points, but turnovers kept the Lakers within striking distance all night.
Murray's 20 first-half points helped the short-handed and undersized Nuggets stay in control. Forward Aaron Gordon worked out on the court before the game but was again in street clothes by game time. Sidelined since Jan. 23 by a pulled hamstring, Gordon is expected to return to action Friday night against the Knicks.
Denver's other defensive stalwart, guard Peyton Watson, has also been out with a pulled hamstring and the Nuggets were also without forwards Cam Johnson (sprained right ankle) and Spencer Jones (strained right shoulder).
Lakers center Deandre Ayton left in the first half with a knee injury and didn't return.
Doncic picked up his 15th technical foul of the season. He'll face an automatic one-game suspension if he gets another.
Lakers: Host Indiana on Friday night.
Nuggets: Host New York on Friday night.
- ARNIE STAPLETON, AP sports writer
Monday, 2 March 2026
Tuesday, 10 February 2026
Wednesday, 4 February 2026
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